Master Match, a mastering plugin from IK Multimedia’s T-RackS 5 series that typically costs $99, is now FREE for a limited time at Audio Plugin Deals.
You can save almost one hundred dollars by downloading Master Match for free right now at Audio Plugin Deals, but you’ll have to hurry; this offer will only be available for a limited time.
Master Match uses reference tracks to create professional-sounding masters with minimal effort, optimizing playback across all platforms.
When I talk about mastering, I often quote one of my favorite engineers, Brian Lucey, who would refer to mastering as the last human interaction before a record goes out into the world.
I like the idea that mastering is a creative process that can help define the overall character of a record through the type of equipment used and the human choices made in the room.
The trouble with the human element is that you’re paying for someone’s time, which can become very expensive, and that’s not realistic for most aspiring artists/bands.
The advent of plugins like Master Match and online mastering (LANDR), followed by a host of AI-based alternatives, provided far more accessible and cost-effective options.
Despite the many readily available resources these days, I still think mastering is misunderstood at a conversational level. In my first year studying music, I’d have been in the studio countless times, and I don’t mind saying I’d have had no idea what mastering was; I was eighteen, I played my parts, and what went on behind the glass wasn’t my business at that point.
If I had to use something like iZotope’s Ozone when I was eighteen, as great as it is, I wouldn’t have gotten the best results because there are opportunities to make poor choices. Coincidentally, Ozone 11 Elements is free with any purchase at Plugin Boutique throughout May 2024.
One of the things I like most about Master Match is that it’s almost foolproof for less experienced users because it has a simple three-step process:
Learn References – Learn Source – Match
You can add up to three reference tracks to the plugin, which will analyze them before applying the same spectral balance and loudness to your track as sensibly as possible.
If you aren’t completely satisfied, you can try mixing up the reference material.
One concern about removing the human element is that you might end up with suitable perceived loudness across all devices while losing the track’s drive or energy, but by most accounts, Master Match keeps even the more experienced users happy with musical results.
Master Match has been around for a few years, but it will still save you time, money, and headaches when it comes to mastering. Everyone should grab it while it’s free, but if you’re a beginner or don’t have anything similar, it’s a no-brainer.
Download: Master Match (FREE for a limited time – regular price $99)
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